McNeeley to officially head parks department

The city continued its hiring streak yesterday with the announcement that Kimberly McNeeley will be the director of the Parks and Recreation Department. McNeeley has been serving as director on an interim basis, and will begin her new non-interim duties on Sept. 1. She rose through the ranks from lifeguard to management, becoming an assistant director of the parks department in 2010. “I am honored to continue my work with the Parks and Recreation Department and put my experience and knowledge to work with the department’s highly skilled staff. Austinites are passionate about their parks and recreation programs, and I look forward to engaging the community on the challenging and important work the department provides,” McNeeley said, in a statement announcing the hire.